I should drill a drain hole in the base, ie the mast foot. Is the Foot alloy or plastic? the later ones are plastic. I replaced my alloy one as it had corroded quite badly. I bought my 700 used.

Most of the water will come scooting out the halyard entry, just up from the mast base but a drain hole on the end of the mast (in the foot itself) is the best solution.

I sail mine with a 20 ltr float bag tied to the sail head. Probably not what you want for racing:) Yes, it slows me down a little but its great as I don't have a safety boat to cover me. I don't race, nothing to race against where I live (Falkland Islands)

as you recover the boat, hold it capsized with the mast just out of the water to give it a chance to drain some. Im shocked there arent big drain holes in the bottom of the mast step - not much makes the boat harder to recover than a mast full of water carrying momentum....

I see you're in Cinncinnati. There were Sailing Canoes based there that were members of the WCA (Western Canoe Association) in the late 1800's. I know that unless you're a vampire you would not remember them but are there any old trophys at your club, or where you sail that go back that far. Just asking. Where do you sail? Later DG